Breakfast with Santa

Wintery wonderland, snow princesses, candy canes, balsam forests, reindeer and Santa Claus! This first ever experience of breakfast with Santa did not disappoint.

Greyson was not very fond of the snow princess, but Sayer didn't let that bother him.

So many things for little eyes of little boys to stare at in amazement.

Balloon animals and reindeer hats. What could be better to a little boy of almost three?

A forest with lighted reindeer?

Or dancing with Dollar Bill?

Even if you are the only kid in the whole place dancing... and dancing to "Last Christmas" by George Michael.

Sharing in the day with friends from school?

Waiting in line to sit on Santa's lap...

to tell him that what you want for Christmas is a football!

And as the momma... capturing that first moment on film where your kids meet Santa for the first time. Even if they are scared and crying... it's priceless!

Best part of the whole day - the kids getting to share it all with Ms. JoDe! What could be better?

Traditions...

I love them!

I think that family traditions are one of the most important things about family. Traditions are the things that you remember, always. They are the things that no matter how old you are, you continue them for the sake of passing them along from generation to generation.

Every Christmas Eve my mom, dad, brother and I would make the drive from Dearborn to Platte City on the lookout for Rudolph's red nose. Almost every year we would find a light in the sky that shined bright red and we knew that Santa was already making his rounds. When we'd arrive home we would snuggle in with Twas the Night Before Christmas and then we'd set out cookies and milk for Santa. As I reflect back on this family Christmas tradition, it brings a smile to my face. It is something that I will always hold dear.

When my parents presented Sayer and Greyson with the recordable Twas the Night Before Christmas book last week with them reading that story to my kids, once again I couldn't help but smile and shed a few tears. See, with this gift, my kids and I will forever get to listen to my parents, their grandparents read us this special story.

This tradition will forever live on in this house! And for that, I am grateful!

And so he arrived...

one day in November. Santa's little helper. Sayer named him Bentley.

He watches the boys during the day, then flies back to the North Pole at night to report to Santa on whether the boys have been naughty or nice.

You never know where he might land when he flies back to our house, so every morning when the boys wake, they have to search until they find Bentley!

As we tell the boys daily, you have to be nice because Bentley is watching!

Two peas in a pod!

When Greyson was a newborn I really thought that he and Sayer had distinctly different personalities...

Sayer was my bold, head strong, leader and Greyson was my quiet, sweet, laid back kid! As they have both grown over the past 18 months I have come to realize that their personalities are more and more alike.

They are both head strong, bold, leaders! They love to be the center of attention and they are both constantly on the move. Neither are laid back kids, so you can imagine that most days at our house things are a bit rambunctious, loud and crazy!

But, if you catch us at just the right time, you will find that these are two of the most caring, sweet, cuddly, loving boys that you will ever meet! They are truly two peas in a pod and as Sayer frequently likes to say "Greyson is my best friend."

That is what this momma lives to hear!

We have a pre-schooler...

Now that we have tackled potty training, it is official Sayer is a Pre-schooler!

He started full time in the pre-school room last Monday and boy was he ready! He was ready to get back to class with all of his old friends and ready to make some new friends. His class has 24 kiddos - 4 girls and 2o boys! What a handful.

I cannot believe that I have a pre-schooler. It is amazing how fast time flies and how much Sayer is changing and growing and developing new skills every single day. Words and sentences come fast and furious in this house. I cannot believe the things that he remembers, understands, catches on to, repeats and uses in the right context. It is absolutely unbelievable to me. My son never ceases to amaze on a daily basis. It is the coolest thing that I have ever experienced.

Best of luck with pre-school buddy! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you. We can't wait to watch you continue to grow! We love you sweetheart!

Greyson's 1st Haircut

Finally, after months and months of begging from Mike I gave in and took Greyson for his very first haircut. This mama was not quite ready to get rid of her baby's curls, so this excursion was very bittersweet. It was all I could do to hold back the tears as I watched my little baby boy turn from a baby into a big boy! Oh what a haircut can do!

Greyson loved the mini hummer...

His Jack Nicholson "The Shining" look... WOW!

Cutting those curls! Give this little boy a dum dum and he is happy. He was so good during this experience!

And the final product... curls and waves! I knew he had his Papa and mama's hair, but this haircut just proved it! Goodbye Bieber hair (as the ladies at school called it) and hello Pepa hair!

You look so handsome buddy!

Sayer, the Stylist!

Look close... do you see it? Yes, the big hunk of hair right in the middle of his forehead that is missing? Last week at work I got the text message that most parents might dread...

Ms. Ashley - "Um, Sayer cut his hair today."

Me - "Really? Is it noticeable?"

Ms. Ashley - "It's right in the front."

Me - "Send me a picture."

Picture sent...

Me - "Ha... laughing out loud."

Isn't every child supposed to cut their hair at some point in time? I guess it's just something that I expected would happen at some point in time and it's just hair, right. And... thank God he's not a girl or I might be freaking out a little more.

Our stylist wasn't available until Sunday, so I let Sayer go almost a full week with his personal style. Way to go Buddy!

Super Heros and Bats... Oh My!

What could be better than going trick-or-treating with your best buddies? Being the mommy's and daddy's of the boys.

Watching them smile from ear to ear when they see each other in their costumes for the first time. Amazed that they are amongst batman and spiderman and bats!

Loading the two youngest in the wagon to go from house to house for their very first trick-or-treating experience. They're not really sure what to expect, but they are ready and anxious to follow their big brother's lead!

Laughing out loud as they march into every house they visit as if they own the place!

Proud that they say thank you and even give hugs after they grab their handfuls of treats!

Excited that PePa wants to come along to pull the wagon and share in the excitement of the boys and their Halloween experience. Not quite sure what his costume is (Panama Jack??), but so, so special that he threw something together to join in the fun.

Watching how quickly they catch on. Two years down and Slayton and Sayer are "old pros"! They run up to each and every door Sayer knocking and Slayton ringing the bell. "Trick or Treat" they yell as each door opens. So cute!

And I have no doubt that next year Stone and Greyson will be in the lead... beating their older brothers as they travel from door to door to gather treats!

Best of all, as the mama, I am so happy and thankful that my boys (and Mike and I) have two of our best friends living just a couple of blocks away to share in the joy and fun and excitement of things like trick-or-treating... TOGETHER!